UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
| For
the quarterly period ended | ||
| OR | ||
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||
For the transition period from to
Commission
file number:
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| (State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
| None | RKFL | None |
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| Large Accelerated Filer ☐ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | |
|
Small
Reporting Company Emerging
Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) ☐ Yes ☒
Number of shares of issuer’s common stock outstanding at November 14, 2022:
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 2 |
PART I FINCANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 Consolidated Financial Statements
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
| September 30, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Restricted Cash | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property
and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $ | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Payable to related party | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock; $ par value; shares authorized; and shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value; shares authorized; and shares issued; and shares outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock, at cost | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| 3 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, | For the Six Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Transaction expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
Gross Margin | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expense | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
Gain from legal settlement | ||||||||||||||||
| Others | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Loss per common share: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding : | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | ||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| 4 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Six-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2021 and 2022
(Unaudited)
| Preferred Stock Outstanding | Common Stock Outstanding | Treasury Stock | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of common stock purchase warrants | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation - employees and consultants option grants | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2021 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of common stock purchase warrants | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock to customer | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation - employees and consultants option grants | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation - employees and consultants option grants | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cancellation of common stock | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2022 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in a private placement, net of issuance costs which included shares issued for commissions | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation - employees and consultants option grants | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for service | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| 5 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| Six Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||
| September 30, 2022 | September 30, 2021 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Stock based compensation | ||||||||
| Gain from legal settlement | ( | ) | ||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of debt discount | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Payable to related party | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue | ||||||||
| Net cash flows used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | ( | ) | ||||||
| Software development cost | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash flows used in investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of common stock purchase warrants | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock, warrants and tokens, net of issuance costs | ||||||||
| Proceeds from convertible note payable, net | ||||||||
| Net cash flows provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net change in cash and restricted cash | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Common stock issued to customer for early adopter | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock issued to consultant in lieu of cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Reconciliation of cash and restricted cash within the consolidated balance sheets to the amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows above at September 30: | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Restricted cash | ||||||||
| Total cash and restricted cash | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| 6 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
1. Business
We (or the “Company”) provide cryptocurrency and other check-out and payment systems that securely automate and simplify the way online payment and shipping information is received by merchants from their customers. Our “one click” checkout solution is modeled on the “buy now” button on leading eCommerce sites. Our check-out systems are designed to enhance customers’ data protection, enabling consumers to pay for goods and services using cryptocurrencies or by direct transfers from their bank accounts without exposing spending credentials such as credit card data. At the same time, our check-out systems are designed to increase the speed, security and ease of use for both customers and merchants and include a merchant portal that provides detailed transactions and metrics about payments received by the merchant. Our system also includes a customer portal where shoppers are able to track their payments, configure payment defaults and connect with various cryptocurrency exchanges and banks to facilitate payment to merchants. Merchants are able to integrate a unique pop-up user interface that allows customers to pay directly from their eCommerce checkout page with no need to redirect to another website or web page.
Our corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California.
On May 12, 2022, the Company incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, RocketFuel (BVI) Ltd., in the British Virgin Islands. The subsidiary is formed to be the issuer of digital tokens in connection with our planned loyalty program. On May 17, 2022, the Company incorporated another wholly owned subsidiary, RocketFuel A/S, in Denmark. This subsidiary will engage in our B2B cross border settlement program. The subsidiary received a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) license in July 2022, allowing it to offer a variety of crypto-based services in the EU. Both subsidiaries have not commenced commercial operations as of September 30, 2022.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Other than as discussed herein, our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the audited financial statements as of March 31, 2022 which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these unaudited financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments), which we consider necessary, for a fair presentation of those financial statements. The results of operations for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 and cash flows for the six months ended September 30, 2022 may not necessarily be indicative of results that may be expected for any succeeding quarter or for the entire fiscal year. The March 31, 2022 balance sheet included herein was derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of that date. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of March 31, 2022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 15, 2022.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries in accordance with consolidation accounting guidance. The Company’s subsidiaries consist of RocketFuel Blockchain Company (RBC) (incorporated in Nevada), RocketFuel A/S (incorporated in Denmark), and RocketFuel (BVI) (incorporated in the British Virgin Islands), the latter two of which were incorporated during the quarter ended June 30, 2022. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Accounting Estimates
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis, and that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amounts of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates and judgments.
| 7 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash includes cash on hand. We consider all highly-liquid, temporary cash investments with a maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
In relation to the Company’s incorporation of a subsidiary in Denmark, a cash deposit of $
Software Development Costs
The Company accounts for software development costs in accordance with ASC 350-40. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, except for certain costs which are capitalized in connection with the development of its internal-use software and website. These capitalized costs are primarily related to the application software that is hosted by the Company and accessed by its customers through the Company’s website. In addition, the Company capitalizes certain general and administrative costs related to the customization and development of our internal business systems. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalization ceases upon completion of all substantial testing performed to ensure the product is ready for its intended use. The Company also capitalizes costs related to specific upgrades and enhancements of internal-use software when it is probable that the expenditures will result in additional functionality. Maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized internal use software costs are recorded as part of property and equipment and are amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of two years.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is three years for the Company. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Significant improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the useful life of the assets. Gains or losses on disposition or retirement of property and equipment are recognized in operating expenses.
The Company reviews the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the related assets. The factors considered by management in performing this assessment include current operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which the property is used, the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors.
Revenue Recognition
During March 2021 we commenced commercial operations. Our revenues will be generated from (i) fees charged under the software development contract; (ii) fees charged in connection with conversion of crypto currencies to and from fiat currencies; (iii) fees charged in connection with the implementation of our ecommerce checkout solutions; and (iv) ongoing daily transactional fees derived as a negotiated percentage of the transactional revenues earned by our merchant customers. In June 2022, we conducted tests of our cross-border B2B solution, which we expect to place in commercial operations by the end of 2022.
Our revenue recognition policy follows the guidance from Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, “Revenue Recognition,” and Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which provides guidance on the recognition, presentation, and disclosure of revenue in consolidated financial statements. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps: (i) identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognition of revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied. Collectability is assessed based on a number of factors, including the creditworthiness of a client, the size and nature of a client’s website and transaction history. Amounts billed or collected in excess of revenue recognized are included as deferred revenue. An example of this deferred revenue would be arrangements where clients request or are required by us to pay in advance of delivery.
| 8 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share, except the weighted average number of common shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of share options, if dilutive. The dilutive effect, if any, of convertible instruments or warrants is calculated using the treasury stock method. There are no outstanding dilutive instruments as the outstanding convertible instruments, stock options and warrants would be anti-dilutive if converted or exercised for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, (“ASC 718”) which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees, including employee stock options, in the statements of operations.
For stock options issued to employees and members of the Board of Directors (the “Board) for their services, the Company estimates the grant date fair value of each option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires management to make assumptions with respect to the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of the common stock consistent with the expected life of the option, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yields of the common stock. For awards subject to service-based vesting conditions, including those with a graded vesting schedule, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value of stock options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term. Forfeitures are recorded as they are incurred as opposed to being estimated at the time of grant and revised.
Pursuant to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, the Company accounts for stock options issued to non-employees for their services in accordance with ASC 718. The Company uses valuation methods and assumptions to value the stock options that are in line with the process for valuing employee stock options noted above.
| 9 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Income Taxes
We are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States. The preparation of these tax returns requires us to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by us. In consultation with our tax advisors, we base our tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various federal and state taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we file tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions taken by us (“uncertain tax positions”) and, therefore, may require us to pay additional taxes. As required under applicable accounting rules, we accrue an amount for our estimate of additional income tax liability, including interest and penalties, which we could incur as a result of the ultimate or effective resolution of the uncertain tax positions. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.
In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and may continue to result, in significant economic disruption despite progress made in the development and distribution of vaccines. It disrupted global travel, supply chains and the labor market and adversely impacted global commercial activity. While the pandemic has largely subsided, considerable uncertainty still surrounds COVID-19, the evolution of its variants, its potential long-term economic effects, as well as the effectiveness of any responses taken by government authorities and businesses and of various efforts to inoculate the global population.
Significant uncertainty continues to exist concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers’ and prospects’ business and operations in future periods. Although our total revenues for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 were not materially impacted by COVID-19, we believe our revenues may be negatively impacted in future periods until the effects of the pandemic have fully subsided and the current macroeconomic environment has substantially recovered. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that may negatively impact our business in future periods include, but are not limited to: limitations on the ability of our customers to conduct their business, purchase our products and services, and make timely payments; curtailed consumer spending; deferred purchasing decisions; delayed consulting services implementations; labor shortages and decreases in product licenses revenues driven by channel partners. We will continue to actively monitor the nature and extent of the impact to our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies that may have an impact on our accounting and reporting. We believe that such recently issued accounting pronouncements and other authoritative guidance for which the effective date is in the future either will not have an impact on our accounting or reporting or that such impact will not be material to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows when implemented.
3. Going Concern
Our
consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that we are a going concern, which contemplates the realization of
assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. We incorporated our business on January 12, 2018, the date of
our inception, and commenced commercial operations in March 2021. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2022, we reported
a net loss of $
We
will require additional financing to continue to develop our product and execute on our business plan. However, there can be no
assurances that we will be successful in raising the additional capital necessary to continue operations and execute on our business
plan. During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we raised $
4. Property, Plant & Equipment
The Company’s property, plant and equipment assets are comprised of the following:
| Useful Life | September 30, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Capitalized software development costs | $ | $ | ||||||||
| Computer equipment | ||||||||||
| Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||||
| 10 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Capitalized software development costs represent the costs incurred during the development stage, when direct and incremental internal and external costs, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. The Company also capitalizes costs related to specific upgrades and enhancements of internal-use software when it is probable that the expenditures will result in additional functionality.
Depreciation
and amortization expenses amount to $
5. Related Party Transactions
During
the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, our chief financial officer was affiliated with legal counsel who
provided us with general legal services (the “Affiliate”). We recorded legal fees paid to the Affiliate of $
6. Deferred Revenue
We
enter into certain contracts typically having initial one-year terms which define the scope of services to be provided. These contracts
can include agreed-upon setup fees during the initial one-year term, which setup fees are recorded as deferred revenue and amortized
ratably over the initial one-year term. Deferred revenue was $
7. Stockholders’ Equity
Private placement:
On
September 19, 2022, the Company completed a private placement (the “Offering”) of shares of its common stock, par value $per share (the “Common Stock”) and
warrants to purchase
On September 19, 2022, in connection with the Offering, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with four investors. The Purchase Agreement sets forth the economic terms set forth above and contains customary representations and warranties of the Company, as well as certain indemnification obligations of the Company and ongoing covenants for the Company. The Company also entered into a registration rights agreement with the investors requiring the Company to file within 90 days of closing a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the Common Stock sold in the private placement and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
The
net proceeds to the Company from the Offering, excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the Warrants, are $
| 11 |
ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Issuance of common stock:
The Company entered the marketing service agreement in July 2022 with a firm. In connection with this service agreement, the Company issued restricted shares and recognized $ of stock compensation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022. Total unrecognized stock compensation expense as of September 30, 2022 was $.
Cancellations of Stock:
On
October 6, 2021, we entered into a contract with one customer having a one-year term from the date of execution that provided for (1)
the payment of $
On
June 7, 2022, we entered into a settlement agreement in the legal proceedings with Joseph Page, our
former director and chief technology officer, as defendant, whereunder Page surrendered
shares of the Company’s common stock. In connection with this settlement, we recognized a gain of $
As of September 30, 2022, and March 31, 2022, we had and shares of our common stock outstanding, respectively.
Warrants:
As
of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, the total outstanding warrants to purchase of the Company’s common stock were
Stock Option Plan:
On August 8, 2018, the Board and stockholders holding a majority of our voting power approved the RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc., 2018 Plan, which plan enables us to make awards that qualify as performance-based compensation. Under the terms of the 2018 Plan, the options will (i) be incentive stock options, (ii) have an exercise price equal to the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant as determined by an independent valuation by a qualified appraiser, (iii) have a term of years, (iv) vest and become exercisable pursuant to the terms set forth in the grantees stock option agreement, (v) be subject to the exercise, forfeiture and termination provisions set forth in the 2018 Plan and (vi) otherwise be evidenced by and subject to the terms of our standard form of stock option agreement. We initially reserved shares of our common stock for issuance in connection with awards under the plan. On September 15, 2020 and March 18, 2021, our board of directors unanimously resolved to amend the 2018 Plan to increase the number of shares of our common stock available for grant to shares and shares, respectively. On May 10, 2022, the Board has approved a plan to increase the number of shares to for 2018 plan. As of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, there were and shares, respectively, of our common stock available for grant pursuant to the 2018 Plan.
Service-Based Stock Option Grants
| Option exercise price per share | $ - $ | |||
| Grant date fair value per share | $ - $ | |||
| Range of expected volatility | - | |||
| Expected term of option in years | ||||
| Range of risk-free interest rate | - | |||
| Dividend yield |
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ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
Options Outstanding | Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Options outstanding at April 1, 2022: | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||
| Cancelled or forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Options outstanding as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Options vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The
aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing price of
the common stock on September 30, 2022 of $
For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we recorded stock-based compensation expense for service-based stock options pursuant to the 2018 Plan in the amount of $ and $, respectively. For the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we recorded stock-based compensation expense for service-based stock options pursuant to the 2018 Plan in the amount of $ and $, respectively. As of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, we had $ and $ of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to service-based stock options, respectively.
Performance-Based Stock Option Grants
We also granted performance-based options pursuant to the 2018 Plan to Rohan Hall, our chief technology officer, which are exercisable into shares of our common stock subject to certain designated milestones. On March 18, 2021, our Board of Directors determined that Mr. Hall earned all of the performance-based options effective February 1, 2021.
Performance -Based Options | ||||
| Option exercise price per share | $ | |||
| Grant date fair market value per share | $ | |||
| Expected term of option in years | ||||
| Expected volatility | % | |||
| Expected dividend rate | % | |||
| Risk free interest rate | % | |||
Options Outstanding | Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Options outstanding at April 1, 2022: | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||
| Cancelled or forfeited | ||||||||||||||||
| Options outstanding as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Options vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
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ROCKETFUEL BLOCKCHAIN, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(UNAUDITED)
The aggregate intrinsic value
in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing price of the common stock on September
30, 2022 of $
For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we recorded stock-based compensation expense for performance-based stock options pursuant to the 2018 Plan in the amount of $ and $, respectively. For the six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we recorded stock-based compensation expense for performance-based stock options pursuant to the 2018 Plan in the amount of $and $, respectively. As of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022, we had $and $of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to performance-based stock options, respectively. There were no performance-based stock options exercised under the 2018 Plan for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
Other than as set forth below, we are not the subject of any pending legal proceedings; and to the knowledge of management, no proceedings are presently contemplated against us by any federal, state or local governmental agency. Further, to the knowledge of management, no director or executive officer is party to any action in which any has an interest adverse to us.
On October 8, 2020, we filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Joseph Page, our former director and chief technology officer. On January 13, 2021, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, Las Vegas Division. The causes of action include securities fraud under Federal and California law; fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment under California law; and violation of California Business and Professions Code §17200 et seq.
On May 29, 2019, Mr. Page resigned from our board. After his resignation, we retained independent patent counsel to review our patent applications. In connection with this review, we discovered certain deficiencies in some of the applications and in their assignments to us. We determined that all of the applications had been abandoned. Based on this review, we decided to refile three of our applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which we did in May 2020. It is our belief that the three newly filed patent applications cover and/or disclose the same subject matter as we disclosed in the five original patent applications. In this case, our rights may be subject to any intervening patent applications made after the dates of the original applications. In the lawsuit, we were alleging that Mr. Page was aware of the abandonments when he assigned the patents to RocketFuel Blockchain Company (“RBC”), a private corporation that he controlled, and that he failed to disclose to us the abandonments when the Company acquired RBC in exchange for shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Mr. Page filed an answer denying the Company’s claims and asserted cross- and counterclaims against the Company and several of the Company’s shareholders alleging breach of contract and fraud. In September 2021, Mr. Page voluntarily dismissed all of the counterclaims against the shareholders.
On
June 7, 2022, RBC entered into a settlement agreement in the legal proceedings between the Company as plaintiff, and Joseph Page as
defendant, whereunder Page surrendered
shares of the Company’s common stock, and kept
shares. Mr. Page represents and warrants that he has not filed or assisted anyone else in filing any patent applications that would
preempt or infringe upon the Company’s patent applications. Plaintiff and defendant have each released their claims against
each other and covenanted not to sue the other, including related parties and stakeholders, with the exclusion of current or future
claims against EGS. The parties agreed to a Stipulated Dismissal of the Action with Prejudice filed with the court. In connection
with this settlement, we recognized a gain of $
On March 2, 2021, we filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (“EGS”) for negligence and legal malpractice, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. EGS had represented RBC prior to the Business Combination and represented us after the closing of the Business Combination through August 2019. In the litigation against Mr. Page, he has alleged that he provided information to an EGS partner that the patent applications had been abandoned and that EGS failed to inform RBC and us of the fact. We are seeking damages and the return of legal fees previously paid.
At the date of this report, the Company is unable to estimate the probability of success or dollar amount of rulings in the March 2, 2021 case against EGS, and as a result, has not accrued any potential benefit to the Company’s balance sheet. Attorney fees related to these proceedings are expensed as incurred.
In January 2022, the Company terminated its agreement with Scarola Schaffzib Zubatov PLLC (“SSZ”), which
the Company had retained to represent it in the litigation against EGS. The reason for the termination was that the Company believed that
SSZ had overcharged for legal services provided. Subsequent to the termination, SSZ sent the Company additional invoices, to which the
Company also objected. In August 2022 SZZ filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, claiming
it is owed approximately $
10. Subsequent Events
On
October 27, 2022, by action of the board of directors, the Company reduced the exercise price of all stock options to $ per share, including all stock options issued and outstanding under our 2018
Stock Incentive Plan and a warrant to purchase
In November 2022, the Company issued options to purchase shares of its common stock in relation to a contract with a contractor.
On November 11, 2022, our chief technology officer tendered his resignation, effective as of December 11, 2022.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements and other information are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by us using information currently available.
The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are not guaranties of future performance. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or using other similar expressions. We are making investors aware that such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from our predictions include, without limitation:
| ● | Market acceptance of our products and services; | |
| ● | Competition from existing products or new products that may emerge; | |
| ● | The implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and our products; | |
| ● | Estimates of our future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and our need for financing; | |
| ● | Our financial performance; | |
| ● | Current and future government regulations; | |
| ● | Developments relating to our competitors; and | |
| ● | Other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our annual report filed on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 15, 2022. |
Although we have sought to identify the most significant risks to our business, we cannot predict whether, or to what extent, any of such risks may be realized, nor can there be any assurance that we have identified all possible issues which we might face. For all of these reasons, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise except as required by law. We urge readers to review carefully the risk factors described in this Quarterly Report and in our annual report filed on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 15, 2022. You can read these documents at www.sec.gov.
Overview
Our Business
We provide payment and check-out systems enabling shoppers on e-commerce sites to pay using cryptocurrencies and direct bank transfers. Currently our payment and check-out systems focus on B2C applications; we are currently developing B2B capabilities that will among other things enable businesses to receive payments on their invoices in cryptocurrencies. Our check-out systems are based upon blockchain technology and are designed to reduce costs and increase speed, security and ease of use. We believe that users of our systems enjoy a seamless check-out experience compared to current online shopping solutions, and that merchants will realize cost savings and other advantages over credit-card based payment systems.
We are developing versions of our payment systems for use for in-store purchases and other applications. Our check-out and payment systems securely automate and simplify the way online payment and shipping information is received by merchants from their customers. Our “one click” checkout solution is modeled on the “buy now” button on leading eCommerce sites. Our check-out systems are designed to enhance customers’ data protection, enabling consumers to pay for goods and services using cryptocurrencies or by direct transfers from their bank accounts without exposing spending credentials such as credit card data. At the same time, our check-out systems are designed to increase the speed, security and ease of use for both customers and merchants and include a merchant portal that provides detailed transaction information, metrics and reports. Our systems also include a customer portal where shoppers are able to track their payments, configure payment defaults and connect with various cryptocurrency exchanges and banks to facilitate payment to merchants. Merchants are able to integrate a unique pop-up user interface that allows customers to pay directly from their ecommerce checkout page with no need to redirect to another website or web page.
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Our merchant portal is updated instantly when a payment transaction is made on the merchant’s website. The merchant is notified of the transaction and can see the transaction details, including the customer that made the transaction, the transaction amount and the items purchased. This information is available to the merchant on its dashboard, where various metrics are tracked and displayed to the merchant, including information about the various cryptocurrencies that are used for payments to that merchant, the different currencies received by the merchant as payment and transaction details such as the transaction hash. In addition to various metrics, merchants are able to generate a variety of reports, and are able to configure various options, including settlement options, from their portal.
Customers of merchants that use the RocketFuel payment solution are able to track their payments in their own online portal. They are also able to track payments they made to all the merchants that are integrated with the RocketFuel payment technology within a single consolidated user portal. They are currently able to connect to their accounts on Coinbase and Gemini, and in the future we plan to add connectivity to Binance, Kraken and other exchanges. Customers can also pay from any cryptocurrency wallet, such as Metamask and Electrum and are able to pay from their bank accounts as well. These customers are able to make payment with any of these payment options with 1, 2, or 3 clicks from the merchant checkout page. By default, these customers can choose from over 100 cryptocurrencies with which to pay.
Our payment user interface allows customers to easily onboard as well as to pay for merchants’ products or services with a variety of cryptocurrencies or via bank transfers. The user interface is displayed as a stand-alone popup that allows the creation of new accounts as well as payment directly from crypto exchanges, crypto wallets, and bank accounts, with no redirects to browser tabs or pages. This can be integrated as a plugin on the merchant checkout page or as a browser extension. The plugin, which we are currently developing, will come integrated with popular ecommerce platforms including WooCommerce, Shopify, Prestashop and others. The browser extension is integrated with popular browsers including Chrome, Chromium, Opera, Firefox, and Edge. The payment interface is designed for both web and mobile checkout experiences. Merchants are able to integrate the RocketFuel payment interface to their checkout page with software development kits (SDKs) that are available via the merchant portal. Application programming interfaces (APIs) are also available to the merchant for deeper integration into backend systems, ERP platforms, and other third-party platforms.
Our solution is designed to be implemented on an eCommerce site’s check-out page. The technology will also be used for different scenarios, including paying for services, paying invoices, and other payment strategies. In addition, we anticipate that a future version of our payment system will allow for advertisements in which the entire checkout process is embedded to be placed on third party websites where sales may be completely finalized. Thus, our technology will enable eCommerce strategies that can include advertisements with a fully integrated check-out process. We believe that this has never before been accomplished on any eCommerce platform. We believe that such advertisements could provide significant new sales channels to retailers that are simply not possible with legacy check-out solutions. We also believe that transactions costs on our system will be significantly less expensive than the cost of credit-card transactions.
The RocketFuel check-out solution is designed to operate identically across merchant channels with all participating merchants. eCommerce merchants are able to encode their check-out protocol to support our technology and the merchants will no longer have to administer complex check-out and payment gateways at their eCommerce websites. At the same time, consumers are able to experience enhanced data protection opportunities and significantly improved convenience.
With the RocketFuel check-out systems, consumers will no longer have to enter credit card information or shipping details every time they want to buy online. Payment and shipping information will be handled automatically. Using the RocketFuel payment solution, credit card data will no longer be shared or transmitted and exposed online. Rather, payments will be made via 100% secure cryptocurrency conveyance or direct bank transfer on the blockchain.
Our corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the financial statements as of March 31, 2022 which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. There were no changes to our significant accounting policies during the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the significant account policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon these financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. In the past, actual results have not been materially different from our estimates. However, results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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Results of Operations
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 vs September 30, 2021
Revenues
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded revenues of $41,815 , including $31,000 as a result of revenue recognized under a new software development contract, and a combined total of $10,815 of transaction fees and the recognition of amortization of deferred setup fee revenues in connection with the execution of contracts with customers. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded revenues of $9,375 for similar recognition of deferred revenues.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized $75,602 in transaction costs, of which $14,000 was related to the software development contract, $40,000 in hosting fees, $13,000 in exchange fees, and $9,000 merchant processing fees, for a net negative margin of $33,787. We anticipate that the hosting fees and processing fee structure will contribute positive gross margin as the Company grows and these expenses remain static or grow ratably with revenues.
We anticipate that future revenues will continue to be generated from (i) fees charged under the software development contract; (ii) fees charged in connection with conversion of crypto currencies to and from fiat currencies; (iii) fees charged in connection with the implementation of our ecommerce checkout solutions; and (iv) ongoing daily transactional fees derived as a negotiated percentage of the transactional revenues earned by our merchant customers. In June 2022, we conducted tests of our cross-border B2B solution, which we expect to place in commercial operations by the end of 2022.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $327,699, an increase of $33,373 as compared with expenses of $294,326 for the prior year period. Research and development expenses increased due to increases in software coding and development activities during the recent quarter compared to the same period of the prior year.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $891,008 as compared with $879,355 for the prior year period, an increase of $11,653. The increase is primarily a result of (i) an increase in hiring expense and staffing costs for increased staffing of approximately $140,000; and (ii) an increase of approximately $57,000 in finance professional fees in designing and managing accounting systems to accommodate additional revenue stream opportunities. These were largely offset by a decrease in legal fees in connection with decreased work on business development strategies.
For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2022 vs September 30, 2021
Revenues
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded revenues of $49,947, including $31,000 resulting from the new software development contract, and a combined total of $18,947 in transaction fees and the recognition of amortization of deferred setup fee revenues in connection with the execution of contracts with customers. During the six months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded revenues of $11,875 for similar recognition of deferred revenues.
For the six months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized $75,602 in transaction costs, of which $14,000 was related to the software development contract, $40,000 in hosting fees, $13,000 in exchange fees, and $9,000 merchant processing fees, for a net negative margin of $25,655. We anticipate that the hosting fees and processing fee structure will contribute positive gross margin as the Company grows and these expenses remain static or grow ratably with revenues.
We anticipate that future revenues will continue to be generated from (i) fees charged under the software development contract; (ii) fees charged in connection with conversion of crypto currencies to and from fiat currencies; (iii) fees charged in connection with the implementation of our ecommerce checkout solutions; and (iv) ongoing daily transactional fees derived as a negotiated percentage of the transactional revenues earned by our merchant customers. In June 2022, we conducted tests of our cross-border B2B solution, which we expect to place in commercial operations by the end of 2022.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2022 were $586,664, a decrease of $64,098 as compared with expenses of $650,762 for the prior year period. Research and development expenses increased year over year by approximately $106,000 due to increased staffing in software coding and development activities, but was more than offset in the current period as a result of capitalization of software development costs, which practice was implemented after the completion of the six-month period of the prior year.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2022 were $2,128,962 as compared with $1,730,010 for the prior year period, an increase of $398,952. The increase is a result of (i) an increase in hiring expense and staffing costs for increased staffing of approximately $200,000; (ii) $113,000 of accounting and consultancy costs not experienced in the prior period; and (iii) increases in travel, audit and other fees. These were partially offset by a decrease in legal fees in connection with decreased work on business development strategies.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We will require additional financing in order to continue to develop our product and execute on our business plan. However, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in raising the additional capital necessary to continue operations and execute on our business plan. Any potential future sale of equity or debt securities may result in dilution to our stockholders, and we cannot be certain that additional public or private financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If we are required to raise additional financing, but are unable to obtain such financing, we may be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate one or more aspects of our operations or business development activities.
On September 30, 2022, we had total assets of $1,969,040 and total liabilities of $813,613. This compares to total assets of $3,110,795 and total liabilities of $513,550 on March 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, our assets consisted of $1,135,460 of cash and restricted cash, $60,200 of accounts receivable, $130,460 of prepaid expenses and other current assets and $642,920 of property and equipment, net of depreciation and amortization. The decrease in assets compared to March 31, 2022 is due to the use of cash to pay for operating costs as a result of increase business activities, somewhat offset by an increase in accounts receivable as a result of a new software development contract and increasing merchant contracts, an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets and the capitalization of software development costs. As of September 30, 2022, our liabilities consist of $743,197 of accounts payable and accrued expenses, $34,569 due to related parties and $35,847 of deferred revenue. The increase in liabilities compared to March 31, 2022 is largely due to increases of accounts payables and accrued expenses, an increase in deferred revenues as a result of a new software development contract in process, and an increase in amounts due to a related party.
On September 30, 2022, we had working capital of $512,507 and a stockholders’ equity of $1,155,427 compared to working capital of $2,137,069 and stockholders’ equity of $2,597,245 at March 31, 2022. Working capital decreased during the six months ended September 30, 2022 largely due to cash paid for prepaid expenses, and cash used in operating activities to expand on the Company’s product offerings and capabilities of its software. Stockholders’ equity decreased due to the operating loss for the six-month period ended September 30, 2022, with an offset for the $700,000 additional private placement funds to offset the operating loss.
As of September 30, 2022, we had cash and restricted cash of $1,135,460 as compared to $2,634,794 as of March 31, 2022.
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we had net cash of $1,818,113 used in operating activities, which was composed primarily of (i) our net loss of $2,191,199, (ii) a gain from a legal settlement of $540,059, (iii) increases in accounts receivable of $56,725, and (iv) increases in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $118,110. The cash flows used in operating activities were partially offset by (i) stock-based compensation of $589,440 primarily in connection with stock options granted pursuant to the 2018 Stock Option Plan, (ii) depreciation and amortization of $198,477, (iii) an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $255,997, (iv) an increase in a payable to a related party of $23,292, and (v) an increase in deferred revenue of $20,774. During the six months ended September 30, 2021, we had net cash of $1,403,745 used in operating activities, which was composed of our net loss of $2,383,129 and offset by (i) stock-based compensation of $646,746 and (ii) smaller incremental increases and decreases to accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, payables to related parties and deferred revenues.
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we used cash of $381,221 for the purchase of property and equipment and the capitalization of software development costs. There were no such investments during the six-month period ended September 30, 2021.
During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we had $700,000 net cash provided by financing activities, compared with $808,750 net cash provided by the issuance of common stock in connection with exercise of common stock purchase warrants and issuance of convertible note payable during the six-month period ended September 30, 2021.
Our financial statements have been presented on the basis that we are a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. During the six months ended September 30, 2022, we reported a net loss of $2,191,199, which included non-cash stock-based compensation of $589,440 and $540,059 of gain from a legal settlement, and cash flows used in operating activities of $1,818,113. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Commitments
We do not have any long-term commitments as of September 30, 2022.
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Subsequent Events
On October 27, 2022, by action of the board of directors, the Company reduced the exercise price of all stock options to $0.2065 per share, including all stock options issued and outstanding under our 2018 Stock Incentive Plan and a warrant to purchase 265,982 shares issued to our chief executive officer, Peter M. Jensen, on February 15, 2021. Additionally, the vesting of stock options held by one key manager was changed to straight vesting options in November 2022. All other terms remained unchanged.
In November 2022, the Company issued 100,000 options to purchase shares of its common stock in relation to a contract with a contractor.
On November 11, 2022, our chief technology officer tendered his resignation, effective as of December 11, 2022.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2022, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and may continue to result, in significant economic disruption despite progress made in the development and distribution of vaccines. It disrupted global travel, supply chains and the labor market and adversely impacted global commercial activity. While the pandemic has largely subsided, considerable uncertainty still surrounds COVID-19, the evolution of its variants, its potential long-term economic effects, as well as the effectiveness of any responses taken by government authorities and businesses and of various efforts to inoculate the global population.
Significant uncertainty continues to exist concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers’ and prospects’ business and operations in future periods. Although our total revenues for the three and six months ended September 30, 2022 were not materially impacted by COVID-19, we believe our revenues may be negatively impacted in future periods until the effects of the pandemic have fully subsided and the current macroeconomic environment has substantially recovered. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that may negatively impact our business in future periods include, but are not limited to: limitations on the ability of our customers to conduct their business, purchase our products and services, and make timely payments; curtailed consumer spending; deferred purchasing decisions; delayed consulting services implementations; labor shortages and decreases in product licenses revenues driven by channel partners. We will continue to actively monitor the nature and extent of the impact to our business, operating results, and financial condition.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act were not effective as of September 30, 2022 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that, as of September 30, 2022, our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The following changes have been made in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal period to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We have expanded the responsibilities assigned to a new accountant and an independent Controller, engaged in the quarter ended June 30, 2022, to transact and oversee the financial activities of the Company, with preparation of our public filings by an SEC Manager, each with the guidance of our SEC Director. These persons continue under the purview of our CFO.
We intend to perform additional internal control improvements, beginning with written documentation of financial processes.
Inherent Limitations of the Effectiveness of Internal Controls
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any internal control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Other than as set forth below, we are not the subject of any pending legal proceedings; and to the knowledge of management, no proceedings are presently contemplated against us by any federal, state or local governmental agency. Further, to the knowledge of management, no director or executive officer is party to any action in which any has an interest adverse to us.
On October 8, 2020, we filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Joseph Page, our former director and chief technology officer. On January 13, 2021, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, Las Vegas Division. The causes of action include securities fraud under Federal and California law; fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment under California law; and violation of California Business and Professions Code §17200 et seq.
On May 29, 2019, Mr. Page resigned from our board. After his resignation, we retained independent patent counsel to review our patent applications. In connection with this review, we discovered certain deficiencies in some of the applications and in their assignments to us. We determined that all of the applications had been abandoned. Based on this review, we decided to refile three of our applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which we did in May 2020. It is our belief that the three newly filed patent applications cover and/or disclose the same subject matter as we disclosed in the five original patent applications. In this case, our rights may be subject to any intervening patent applications made after the dates of the original applications. In the lawsuit, we were alleging that Mr. Page was aware of the abandonments when he assigned the patents to RocketFuel Blockchain Company (“RBC”), a private corporation that he controlled, and that he failed to disclose to us the abandonments when the Company acquired RBC in exchange for shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Mr. Page filed an answer denying the Company’s claims and asserted cross- and counterclaims against the Company and several of the Company’s shareholders alleging breach of contract and fraud. In September 2021, Mr. Page voluntarily dismissed all of the counterclaims against the shareholders.
On June 7, 2022, RBC entered into a settlement agreement in the legal proceedings between the Company as plaintiff, and Joseph Page as defendant, whereunder Page surrendered 3,600,394 shares of the Company’s common stock, and kept 1,500,000 shares. Mr. Page represents and warrants that he has not filed or assisted anyone else in filing any patent applications that would preempt or infringe upon the Company’s patent applications. Plaintiff and defendant have each released their claims against each other and covenanted not to sue the other, including related parties and stakeholders, with the exclusion of current or future claims against EGS. The parties agreed to a Stipulated Dismissal of the Action with Prejudice filed with the court. In connection with this settlement, we recognized a gain of $540,059, calculated based on the Company’s share price of $0.15 per share on the date of settlement of the legal proceedings. This gain was recorded in other income for the six months ended September 30, 2022 in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
On March 2, 2021, we filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (“EGS”) for negligence and legal malpractice, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. EGS had represented RBC prior to the Business Combination and represented us after the closing of the Business Combination through August 2019. In the litigation against Mr. Page, he has alleged that he provided information to an EGS partner that the patent applications had been abandoned and that EGS failed to inform RBC and us of the fact. We are seeking damages and the return of legal fees previously paid.
At the date of this report, the Company is unable to estimate the probability success or dollar amount of rulings in the March 2, 2021 case against EGS, and as a result, has not accrued any potential benefit to the Company’s balance sheet. Attorney fees related to these proceedings are expensed as incurred.
In January 2022, the Company terminated its agreement with Scarola Schaffzib Zubatov PLLC (“SSZ”), which the Company had retained to represent it in the litigation against EGS. The reason for the termination was that the Company believed that SSZ had overcharged for legal services provided. Subsequent to the termination, SSZ sent the Company additional invoices, to which the Company also objected. In August 2022 SZZ filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, claiming it is owed approximately $120,000 in legal fees. The Company disputes that this amount is owed, and contends that a portion of the legal fees previously paid should be refunded. Discovery has commenced; a trial date has not been set. The Company has accrued approximately $120,000 in accounts payable.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The Risk Factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022 continue to represent the most significant risks to the Company’s future results of operations and financial conditions, without further modification or amendment.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
On September 19, 2022, the Company completed a private placement (the “Offering”) of 3,389,831 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and warrants to purchase 1,694,915 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants”). In addition, in connection with the Offering, RocketFuel (BVI) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, also entered into pre-launch token sale agreements with four investors for the issuance of 3,389,831 cryptographic tokens (the “Tokens”) when such Tokens are created. The Company plans to issue the Tokens in connection with a loyalty program it is developing, and these Tokens have not been issued as of September 30, 2022. The combined purchase price for one share of Common Stock, an accompanying Warrant and a Token was $0.2065. The Warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price equal to $0.2065 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustments as provided under the terms of the Warrants. The Warrants are exercisable for five years from the initial exercise date.
On September 19, 2022, in connection with the Offering, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with four investors. The Purchase Agreement sets forth the economic terms set forth above and contains customary representations and warranties of the Company, as well as certain indemnification obligations of the Company and ongoing covenants for the Company. The Company also entered into a registration rights agreement with the investors requiring the Company to file within 90 days of closing a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the Common Stock sold in the private placement and the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering, excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the Warrants, are $700,000. In connection with the Offering, the Company issued 338,983 shares of its common stock to one of the investors for a commission.
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Item 6. Exhibits
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Peter M. Jensen | |
| Peter M. Jensen | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| By: | /s/ Bennett J. Yankowitz | |
| Bennett J. Yankowitz | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
| Dated: November 14, 2022 | ||
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